Chapter 201: Chapter 201

January 1st, New Year’s Day

The snow that had fallen all night finally ceased, and a faint light filtered through the frosted windows.

Tsunade stirred, her golden hair scattered messily across the pillow. Her lashes fluttered before she slowly opened her eyes, staring blankly at an unfamiliar ceiling.

A dull throb pulsed in her head. She pressed her forehead with a frown, but the Yin Seal that regulated her chakra quickly eased the hangover.

As her mind cleared, memories of last night came rushing back—she and Kurenai had drunk themselves senseless. Not even Kitazawa or Shizune could stop them, so in the end, Tsunade had been left behind.

She sighed, pushed herself upright, and padded toward the table.

“Student Winter Break Special Training Plan?”

Flipping through the notebook, she caught sight of names like Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto.

So, this was Kitazawa’s room. She had slept here.

“Quite tidy, actually…” Tsunade yawned and drew the curtains open. Sunlight spilled across her bare skin.

Just then, the door creaked. Tsunade turned to see Kitazawa stepping in cautiously, dressed in a black kimono. For a moment, she blinked in surprise—he looked refreshingly different. Handsome people really did look good in anything.

“Lady Tsunade, you’re awake.” His voice steadied as he crossed the room. “Have some milk first.”

“Where’s Kurenai?” Tsunade accepted the glass. The milk was warm, soothing her body instantly.

“Still asleep. Her tolerance isn’t quite on par with yours.” Kitazawa chuckled.

“I took your bed last night. My apologies.”

Tsunade leaned against the window, cradling the cup with both hands.

“It’s fine.” Kitazawa shrugged. “If you ever want my bed, it’s yours.”

After all, he hardly used the room anymore. It had become more of a study since his relationship with Kurenai.

“Still, thank you.” Tsunade drained another sip, then added, “I need a bath.”

“This way.” Kitazawa guided her toward the bathroom.

“Appreciate it.” She closed the door behind her and sank into the steaming water.

Kitazawa checked on Kurenai next. She was still asleep, so he slipped quietly into the kitchen. Deciding on a Western-style breakfast, he set about preparing bread, milk, and sandwiches.

When he returned to the living room, the faint sound of water still drifted from the bath. Breakfast was laid out and ready.

Moments later, the bathroom door opened—Kitazawa’s eyes widened.

Tsunade stepped out wrapped in a white bath towel, the fabric straining under her curves.

“Go fetch me some clothes.” She dropped onto the sofa, tossing her damp golden hair back with a casual flick. The motion, paired with the towel’s outline, was dangerously captivating.

“Well?” she arched a brow. “Why are you still standing there?”

Snapping out of his daze, Kitazawa hurried next door and found Shizune awake. A few minutes later, he returned with a folded kimono.

“Lady Tsunade, it’s New Year’s, so Shizune prepared this.” He held it out respectfully.

“A kimono?” Tsunade pouted. “So troublesome.”

Still, she took the light green garment and disappeared into Kitazawa’s room.

When she reemerged, the loose fit of the kimono did little to hide her figure.

“Lady Tsunade, breakfast is ready,” Kitazawa reminded.

“Mm.” She sat at the table, graceful even in simplicity.

Kitazawa slipped into Kurenai’s room and placed a glowing hand on her forehead. Warm chakra flowed, waking her gently.

“Does your head hurt?” he asked softly.

“No.” A smile curved her lips as she pulled him into an embrace. She nestled against him, her body warm and pliant.

She glanced up, licking her lips playfully. “Aren’t you on holiday today?”

“Lady Tsunade’s in the living room,” Kitazawa teased, pinching her cheek.

Her smile froze, a blush coloring her face. Thank goodness he hadn’t pushed further—if Tsunade had overheard anything, she would’ve fled the village in mortification.

“Impatient, aren’t you?” Kitazawa laughed.

Annoyed, Kurenai kicked at him. He caught her foot, tickling her sole until she trembled and snatched it back.

“I’ll deal with you later,” she huffed, slipping into a red-and-black kimono.

“Beautiful,” Kitazawa murmured, eyes lingering.

Together, they joined Tsunade in the living room.

“I’m full. See you next time.” Tsunade rose abruptly, set her bread down, and left without looking back.

“Did you offend her?” Kurenai asked, bewildered.

“Not that I know of…” Kitazawa muttered, baffled himself.

After breakfast, the two went to the shrine for New Year prayers, then spent the day wandering the village in quiet contentment.

The following day, they resisted indulgence and devoted themselves to training. Kurenai practiced the Four Limbs Weight Seal, while Kitazawa studied another barrier jutsu, his final sealing assignment. Unlike the binding Barrier, this technique formed a restraining barrier using four tags—far less flexible in battle.

By January 3rd, winter break training resumed.

Kitazawa arrived early at the academy.

“Kitazawa-sensei, Happy New Year!” Sasuke, Naruto, Kabuto, and Hinata gathered around eagerly.

“Happy New Year.” He smiled.

“Kitazawa-sensei, New Year’s money!” Ino thrust her hand forward, eyes shining.

Kitazawa chuckled, pulling out prepared red envelopes. Even Kabuto—though already older—received one.

“Alright, now that you’ve got your money, back to training,” Kitazawa ordered. “Hinata, Neji, Karin—stay behind.”

“Yes, Kitazawa-sensei.”

Once the others dispersed, he continued, “Hinata, Neji—you’ve mastered the Shadow Clone Technique. Time for new training. For the next two days, practice the Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm at home.”

Neji’s eyes widened. “Vacuum Palm?”

“That’s right,” Kitazawa nodded. “It’s one of the few long-range Gentle Fist techniques. If you master it, you might even defeat Naruto.”

At that, Neji’s expression sharpened with determination.

“Report back in two days,” Kitazawa said, ruffling Hinata’s hair gently.

Reluctant but obedient, the two Hyūga returned home.

“Karin,” Kitazawa continued, producing a scroll, “today I’ll teach you your first sealing technique—Finger Carving Seal. Memorize the formula first.”

“Okay!” Karin’s eyes shone with excitement. At last, her true shinobi journey was beginning.

Leaving a clone to supervise, Kitazawa took Sakura to the hospital. Between surgeries and sealing practice, his medical missions advanced steadily—he even performed one particularly difficult operation that pushed his progress forward another step.

The fourth day of the New Year fell on a Sunday.

Just when Kitazawa thought the week would pass uneventfully, Yakumo appeared at his door, announcing that she had already mastered the Emotion Displacement Technique.

“Then let’s test it,” Kitazawa said, curious to see whether the technique truly worked.

The two of them walked next door.

“Lady Tsunade.”

Kitazawa handed her a scroll. “This is the treatment plan Yakumo prepared.”

Tsunade didn’t need to ask—she could tell from the scroll alone that Yakumo had succeeded. She opened it, scanning the contents. The plan was divided into two parts: the primary treatment using the Emotion Displacement Technique, and a backup method in case it failed.

“Begin,” Tsunade ordered, setting the scroll aside.

“Lady Tsunade, please don’t resist,” Yakumo reminded her softly. “I’ll start by placing you under an illusion.”

“I understand,” Tsunade replied with a firm nod.

Yakumo’s eyes sharpened as she cast the Terrifying Illusion. Normally, she would have used the Mirror Dimension genjutsu she created herself, but it paled compared to the raw effectiveness of this one.

Tsunade’s vision blurred. In the next heartbeat, she found herself in a scene both foreign and achingly familiar.

Orochimaru stood before her—no, not the current Orochimaru, but his younger self.

“…I’m sorry, Tsunade,” he said after a long pause.

She stepped inside the tent. The stench of blood struck her immediately, making her body tremble. Her eyes were drawn to the white cloth draped over a stretcher.

“Lady Tsunade… please accept our condolences,” a masked medical-nin said heavily.

Her hand shook as she reached forward. The cloth slipped away, revealing Nawaki’s lifeless face.

Tsunade froze, trembling violently. Her pupils dilated, terror twisting across her features.

At that moment, the “medical-nin” raised her hands—Yakumo in disguise.

Emotion Displacement Technique!

A surge of chakra flowed into Tsunade. Slowly, her breathing steadied, her emotions easing.

“…It’s working!” Yakumo’s eyes lit up with relief.

But then—

Crack!

The illusion shattered.

Yakumo stumbled back into the real world, staring at Tsunade in shock. She had not only resisted the Displacement subconsciously but also broken free of the Terrifying Illusion outright.

What kind of terrifying willpower was this?

“Lady Tsunade, are you alright?” Kitazawa asked, wincing at the strength of her grip on his arm.

“I’m fine,” Tsunade answered slowly, drawing in a deep breath.

Yakumo leaned toward Kitazawa, whispering what had happened. His brows furrowed. The method was harsh, but effective in theory—directly confronting the root of Tsunade’s trauma. If she could endure it, half the battle would be won. But her subconscious resistance was too strong.

“Once more,” Tsunade said after steadying herself. “I’ll try harder to control it this time.”

“…Alright,” Yakumo agreed, bracing herself for another attempt.

Then Tsunade turned. “Kitazawa—you come in too.”

He blinked, startled, then glanced at Yakumo.

“It’s fine,” she assured him.

The illusion swallowed them again.

This time, Kitazawa found himself in Konoha’s wartime camp. Orochimaru waited outside the tent, his face grave. Tsunade walked past him, shoulders heavy.

Kitazawa followed quickly, then reached out and grasped her trembling hand.

Tsunade’s eyes flicked toward him, surprised.

“Do you still want to look?” he asked quietly.

“…Yes.” Her answer was firm.

Kitazawa pulled back the cloth, revealing Nawaki’s ruined body.

Tsunade shook violently. Yakumo’s chakra surged, weaving the Emotion Displacement Technique—not to erase the grief, but to soften it, to help Tsunade build resistance.

At the same time, Kitazawa infused her hand with a soothing flow of green chakra, using medical ninjutsu to ease her physical pain.

The combined effort was far more effective than before.

But five minutes later, Tsunade’s emotions broke free once more. The illusion shattered.

They returned to the living room. Tsunade swayed, then collapsed against Kitazawa’s chest, tears slipping down her face.

“Yakumo, that’s enough for today,” Kitazawa said softly.

“…Yes, sensei.” Yakumo gave Tsunade a concerned glance, then excused herself.

Kitazawa stroked Tsunade’s hair gently, though his heart pounded uncomfortably. Her body pressed tightly against his, warm and yielding. It was a trial of its own kind.

“…Sorry,” Tsunade whispered at last, sitting up.

“It’s nothing,” Kitazawa assured her. He understood—if he were in her place, he might have broken even sooner.

“You should go,” Tsunade said, turning her head away.

Kitazawa hesitated but left without another word. Sometimes, solitude was the kinder choice.

As he walked, he thought deeply. The method was too brutal, like tearing open an old wound. Perhaps he could adjust the illusion—shielding Tsunade from the worst, or even creating false memories. For instance, letting Nawaki live, become Hokage, and pass away peacefully in old age. It might not heal her fully, but it could ease her pain.

After all, within an illusion, nothing was impossible.

And after today’s sessions, Kitazawa couldn’t shake the feeling that his bond with Tsunade had grown closer. A dangerous, but not unwelcome, development.

By the time Sunday ended, his system chimed with a notification:

[Mission Complete: Learn three Sealing Techniques during winter break.]

[Reward: Evil Sealing Method.]

Kitazawa exhaled in relief. At last, he had fulfilled his sealing mission. Now his focus could shift to Water Release and Earth Release.

In the distance, thunder cracked, lightning tearing across the sky. He barely spared it a glance. That was no natural storm, but Kakashi training—pursuing his vision of the Lightning Release: Kirin.

Meanwhile, in the training field—

“Hinata, your chakra compression still isn’t tight enough,” Kitazawa instructed.

“Yes, Kitazawa-sensei,” Hinata replied earnestly.

She centered her chakra, then thrust her palm forward. An invisible shockwave shot forth, striking a tree and gouging a deep mark into the bark.

“Again,” Kitazawa said calmly. “You’ll know you’ve mastered the Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm when you can pierce straight through that tree.”

Hinata nodded, determination flashing in her pale eyes.

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